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Affording Medications in a Tough Economy

Healthcare is a hot topic in
today’s economy. Whether
you are in Congress debating
the bill or a family forced to make healthcare
decisions based on your financial
factors, you have probably been touched
by the crisis. One way families are saving
money is by eliminating prescriptions.

However, forgoing asthma and
allergy medications could result in a
devastating and very expensive outcome.
Asthma and allergies are chronic conditions
that require ongoing management.
Your doctor prescribed your medications
based on your specific needs and
to help you keep symptoms under control.
Straying from the plan could lead
to severe asthma and allergy symptoms
and the need for costly emergency
room treatment.

The Cost of Not Taking Your
Medication
Your asthma action plan
may include long-term and quick-relief
medications. Both are important in
symptom control. Long-term controller
medications are taken on a regular basis
(typically daily) to control airway inflammation
and treat symptoms. Quick-relief
medications are used to provide temporary
relief of symptoms. Uncontrolled
asthma can lead to missed work or
school, emergency room visits, hospitalizations,
and even death.

Because immunotherapy is successful
by steadily increasing doses of allergens
in your body, discontinuing treatments
will send you back to square one in getting
relief and will cost you more over
time.

Many people with allergies take allergy
shots (immunotherapy) to relieve
symptoms. There are two phases to
immunotherapy: buildup and maintenance.
The buildup phase, generally
ranging three to six months, involves
receiving injections with increasing
amounts of the allergens. The maintenance
phase begins when the most
effective dose is reached.

Because immunotherapy is successful
by steadily increasing doses of allergens
in your body, discontinuing treatments
will send you back to square one in getting
relief and will cost you more over
time. Moreover, ongoing allergy symptoms
could result in sinus infections or
worsening asthma.

Do not be afraid to talk to your doctor
about prescription costs. He or she
may be able to recommend generics,
offer samples, or direct you to assistance
programs that can help you stay
on track with your treatment plan.

Tips for Finding Low-Cost Medications
If you need additional assistance,
here are some things you can do when
you can’t afford your medication:

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
is an example of a prescription
assistance program that helps people who
qualify get medications for a minimal
charge or even free. To learn more, call
(888) 477-2669 or visit pparx.org.

Many state governments offer drug
discount or senior assistance programs.

Often, insurance plan mail-order
pharmacies are less expensive than a
storefront pharmacy. However, because
of the processing time, this option is not
ideal if you need a prescription quickly.

If your insurance plan does not require
you to go to a certain pharmacy, shop
around. Many pharmacies charge different
amounts for the same prescriptions.

Check with your doctor to see if splitting
pills is an option to save you money.

The Bottom Line
Taking your medication
is important. Talk to your doctor
if you are having trouble paying for the
medicines you need.